The NIL dollars flowing to roster retention and the transfer portal have ballooned over the years. The money in high school recruiting has also grown.
āThe market value for my position is about $300,000. But I believe Iām worth $1 million a year, easily.ā
That sentiment, shared by a 2027 recruit at a non-premium position, encapsulates the current state of NIL in high school recruiting: a volatile mix of expectations, secrecy and a disconnect between market value and what the players demand.
To peel back the curtain, we surveyed dozens of Rivals300 prospects from the 2027 and 2028 classes. To ensure total candor, we granted them anonymity. What they revealed is an ecosystem where the ābaselineā has shifted, and the gap between the haves and the have-nots is no longer just about wins and losses ā itās about the bottom line.
The seven-figure standard
When we asked prospects about their largest offers, it became clear that the benchmark for elite talent at premium positions starts at seven figures. The high-water mark? A reported $2.5 million per year offer with a total commitment of $7.5 million over three seasons.While that is the ceiling, the floor has risen as well. Only one recruit reported they would consider a program for less than $350,000. For the elite, the price of admission starts at $750,000, with several stating they wouldnāt even end their recruitment for anything less than a cool million.
Programs developing reputations in world of NIL
The big NIL spenders, according to high school prospects, are becoming clearly defined. The usual suspects like USC, Oregon, Texas A&M and LSU dominate the high-end offers, new programs are trying to enter the arms race.UCLA, Cal and North Carolina were frequently cited as āmost openā regarding NIL discussions with recruits. For UCLA and Cal, NIL is a tool to ignite fanbases under first-year coaches; for UNC, itās about providing Bill Belichick the resources to improve the programās fortunes in year two. Their pitch is simple: āThis is your minimum offer, this is what it could grow to, and if you perform, weāll reset the table.ā
Conversely, Georgia was the program most frequently cited for offering substantially less than some of its peers. Kirby Smartās program sells NFL development as a long-term financial play that outweighs an upfront NIL check.
Stanford leans on the ā40-year decision,ā promoting its degree as a more lucrative value than any up-front NIL deal. Meanwhile, programs like Minnesota and Kansas State sell stability and local branding over massive national collective bags.
Culture of secrecy still surrounds NIL
Despite the massive sums involved, and the fact that paying college athletes has been legal for coming up on five years, prospects remain extremely reluctant to openly discuss NILās very real impact on their recruitments.The paper trail remains non-existent, currently. Every 2027 recruit surveyed confirmed that their NIL offers are 100% verbal. While some Power Four commits expect to see figures in writing during official visits in the coming months, the industry currently runs on trust.
That trust doesnāt extend to their peers, though. While recruits are quick to gossip about which schools have the biggest bags, they are incredibly guarded about their own numbers.
āMy agent said never share your worth with someone who could be competing for that same amount,ā one recruit noted.
There is a prevailing sense that everyone is exaggerating a little, leading to a hall-of-mirrors effect where every recruit feels they might be underpaid.
2027 recruits share NIL market values
The disparity in worth remains tied to on-field impact. Elite edge rushers and quarterbacks can command seven figures, but interior offensive linemen and linebackers are finding a much tighter market. The prospects we interviewed shared these numbers when asked about the market rate at their position.Quarterback: $500,000 ā $3 million
Running Back: $300,000 ā $675,000
Receiver: $350,000 ā $1.3 million
Tight End: $250,000 ā $350,000
Interior Offensive Lineman: $200,000 ā $300,000
Offensive Tackle: $400,000 ā $1.5 million
Defensive Tackle: $350,000 ā $1 million
Edge Rusher: $500,000 ā $2.5 million
Linebacker: $200,000 ā $400,000
Cornerback: $325,000 ā $800,000
Safety: $250,000 ā $600,000
2028 recruits on hold for now
If 2027 recruits are currently living in the NIL Wild West, the 2028 class is waiting for the gold rush. Rising juniors reported that programs are largely refusing to discuss firm numbers until film of their upcoming season is available. However, the professionalization of these athletes is already complete; all but three players surveyed already have formal representation.Whether itās a sports agency or a āfamily-officeā approach led by lawyer-parents, the days of the hat on the table being a surprise are over. The recruitment of the modern athlete has moved out of the living room and into the office, and as one 2028 prospect put it: āI have an idea of what Iām worth, but it could be more in a year.ā
